Expensive CL's

Thee does seem to be a trend of pricing themselves out of the market. Over the last 4 years we have not used a Cl when visiting the Lleyn peninsular for example as commercials provide better

 facilities and pricing n the "off season". They may be busy in July/Aug but I wonder what happens at other times. Overcrowding is another problem at peak times though I have a lot of sympathy with the need to maximise income  in a short period. We have found Pembokshire area very similar but in  Scotland with fewer Cls not so bad. Little experience of England so no comment. The competition is fierce and all we  need is EHU and Hardstandings in winter.  I am afraid the trend to fewer Cls will continue.

There are all sorts of CLs out there, Steve, ranging from the most basic to those providing whatever facilities the customer requires. As far as price is concerned it's all a question of what the site provides and what the alternatives are in the area. One of our favourite CLs was £20 a night last year - that's for a HS, serviced pitch, awning, wifi and dogs inclusive and there's a toilet and shower as well. And outstanding open views across the valley to the hills. The alternative would be a commercial site ( statics and all) just down the road surrounded by trees and very gloomy at £35 a night or the other club's site down in the town with no views for £24 a night. For us the choice is obvious. I think it's unreasonable to expect CL owners to provide what they do and survive without charging a reasonable price.

Whilst some of the expensive ones do look really nice, we always go for the cheaper ones with the view that the cheaper it is, the more often we can afford to go away and spend on meals out locally.

We do like our TV on an evening so we tend to go EHU in the winter and no facilities in the summer.  We use facilities in our van.

We never pay more than £5-£7.50 for basic and £10-£12 for EHU.  We never have trouble finding these in lovely locations although it does take a little time.  Although we are mostly up north, we still managed to find these prices in Cambridge and Brighton when we were down south last year.

I don't know how true this is, on a site once someone told me that the site owner had told him that they were being encouraged to raise the prices by the club (although he had chosen not to).  Perhaps this is the reason why a lot of  new openers are charging more than the prices we usually pay.  We have looked at a lot of new openers in the North Yorks area but they are usually £14-£18.  We think why bother trying them when there are other perfectly lovely ones for less. It may only be a couple of quid but it all mounts up if we are away most weekends.  However, each to their own, so long as there are these CLs we will keep being a member (we've never stayed at a club sigh and only 2 small commercials).

The problem is that many vanners using CL's demand all the bling of a full fat Club Site on the cheap. I don't blame CL owners for charging close to club site prices for an all singing all dancing CL. 

As said earlier, there are CL's to suit everybody so  pay for the type which suits your preference. There are thankfully still  loads of CL's for vanners who prefer to use their own facilities.

So pay the rate for the CL --- If you don't think it's value for money, go to a Club Site. 

K

I'm not sure the words "bling" and "club site" belong in the same sentence, K! 

For us, location comes first every time and then if there is a good looking CL in the area it's the fact that, in most cases you're assured peace and quiet with only 4 other units at most. And, yes, although we have stayed at "basic" sites in the past and would do again for a stop over, we would choose a site with a loo and shower if we were staying for any length of time because in our small van the shower is used as a storage area. Not sure that counts as "all singing, all dancing" though! 

It does make you wonder sometimes why there is such a huge difference in CL charges, we have paid as little as £10 pn up to £15 for a site with only EHU. There has also been little difference in the standard of cl.

1tracey1 I have also spoken to a  CL owner who was "advised "by the club to charge more, he wanted to charge £10 but was "advised" to look at charging a bit more.

 

 

1tracey1 I have also spoken to a CL owner who was "advised "by the club to charge more, he wanted to charge £10 but was "advised" to look at charging a bit more.

Probably good advice in general

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Of course the CC may have another reason for advising CL owners to charge a little more and that could be in order not to show just how expensive club sites are.. I have not stayed on a club site for over 3 years now.  Dumped them once the started to exceed £20pn.  

I am still finding that the average price for an EHU equipped CL is mainly sub £15, some are still as cheap as £10.  Why pay more?  This is supposed to be an inexpensive hobby!

TF

Inexpensive hobby,?when the majority seem to have car caravan outfits/motor caravans in access of £50,000